Items Tagged ‘private residence’
Knox Church Residence
Project Name:
Knox Church ResidenceLocation:
Elsternwick, Victoria, AustraliaCompletion Date:
2009Original Use(s):
churchNew Use(s):
private residenceProject Description:
History
Established by John Knox, The Kirk was built in 1867 in the Melbourne suburb of Elsternwick. The building features brick polychrome which was at the height of its popularity during its construction. Alternating cream and umber brick mark the gear-tooth points and wrap the building in tiny quoins. The church became an icon for the community with its style being mimicked in a nearby substation as well as homes.[1]
(Re)Developer
The team at Williams Boag Architects (WBa) has expertise in architecture, planning, urban design, and interior design. With a focus on a sustainable future, WBa has handled a number of adaptive reuse projects since their founding in 1975. Some of their adaptive reuse projects include the conversions of the Melbourne GPO Building (post office to retail hub), the Ancient Times House (warehouse to affordable youth housing), and the former Uniting Church (church to apartments).
Outcome
Through the adaptive reuse process, WBa was able to retain the shell of the church as well as the original flooring. Even the original pulpit remains in the new home, moved only about 10 feet. The interior now includes segmented rooms within the large space of the church. A new garage was added separate from the church while a carport was attached to the family room.[2]
This once community space for worshipping has now been repurposed for the benefit of a single family. While the community may have lost a gathering space, the surrounding area has been strengthened by the retained style and new life of the conversion.
[1]Australian Design Review
[2]Australian Design Review
Images courtesy of Sonia Mangiapane.
Gas Station Home
Project Name:
Gas Station HomeLocation:
Berlin, Germany, EUCompletion Date:
2008Original Use(s):
Shell gas stationNew Use(s):
private residenceProject Description:
History
Located in Berlin’s Schöneberg district, this site was once home to a Shell gas station. The building itself was built in 1956 on top of the foundation of a residential building that had been destroyed during World War II.
(Re)Developer
The property was purchased by Juerg Judin who had been pining over the possibilities of the station for years. Mr. Judin is an art collector and dealer from Zurich who moved to Berlin upon the completion of this adaptive reuse project.
Outcome
A contaminated piece of land has successfully been cleaned up and a new life has been given to it. The finished concept is that of a space for an artist-in-residence. The original building was completely renovated, a new wing was added, and a garden/patio/pond were located in the old paved lot. The original station offers 970 square feet of live/work space while the new addition has provided 3,200 square feet, with the second floor of that addition used as exhibition space. The gas stations old canopy for the pumps has been retained and used as a cover for the outdoor seating area.[1]
[1]The New York Times
Images courtesy of The New York Times.
Water Pumping Plant Residence
Project Name:
Water Pumping Plant ResidenceLocation:
Berlin, Germany, EUCompletion Date:
2008Original Use(s):
utilityNew Use(s):
residentialProject Description:
History
The building was erected between 1925 and 1926 as an extension to the first pumping station in Berlin’s Neukoelln district (then called Rixdorf) dating from 1893. In 1993 new facilities were built on the adjoining premises and the old pumping station was decommissioned. In 1989 the former pumping station was placed under preservation order. Over the 13 years following the closedown it was not possible to find a use for the building, mainly because of its location, the exceptional size of the hall and the lack of a second escape route for the upper floors.
(Re)Developer
There had been a survey commissioned by the preservation authorities in 2002 that included major concessions such as new staircases within the hall and big dormers on the roof, but still no one could be found to buy it. It was only in early 2006, when Berlin-based artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset caught sight of the house through an online real estate service and spontaneously decided to make it their new headquarters.[1]
Outcome
The resulting adaptation is a home with a vast floor plan broken up into small “nooks.” It contains two separate private areas for each of the artists, as well as kitchen, four bathrooms, an attic living room, and a large living/working space.[2]
[1]ArchDaily
[2]Archi-Ninja
Images courtesy of Nils Wenk, ArchDaily, and Udo Meinel.
The Adams Fleming House by Levitt Goodman Architects
Project Name:
The Adams Fleming House by Levitt Goodman ArchitectsLocation:
Completion Date:
Original Use(s):
New Use(s):
Project Description:
Architects and home owners converted an old auto-body shop into a secluded private residence. The project is an example of a successful adaptive reuse of a brownfield site that also provides quiet and solitude even though it is next to a railway and supermarket parking lot.
Taller de Arquitectura
Project Name:
Taller de ArquitecturaLocation:
Barcelona, Spain, EUCompletion Date:
1975Original Use(s):
cement factoryNew Use(s):
architectural firm office, private residenceProject Description:
History
The complex was originally a large cement factory from the turn of the century. It was made up of over 30 silos, underground spaces, and very large engine rooms. Years of neglect and vacancy had left the complex into stages of disrepair.
(Re)Developer
In 1973, famed Spanish architect Richard Bofill bought the site, seeing great potential in its assets. This private development saw the transformation of the complex from industrial into a mixed residential and office headquarters. Upon completion, Bofill set up his firms office within the space. The entire reuse project took two years to complete.
Outcome
To better define the space as well as clear out portions that were beyond repair, Bofill tore down a number of the silos (keeping eight) and other structures. Extensive new landscaping (including gardens of eucalyptus, palms, olive trees and cypresses) was installed to soften the edges and create further definition. This adapted space now includes “offices, a modelling laboratory, archives, a library, a projection room and a huge space known as ‘The Cathedral’, the venue for subsequent exhibitions, lectures, concerts and a whole range of cultural activities linked to the architect’s professional life.” Additionally, he incorporated his own private residence and guest rooms.[1]
[1]Ricardo Bofill
Images courtesy of Ricardo Bofill and Loft Life Magazine.